GCSAA Tournament Fact Sheet GCSAA Golf ... - PGA TOUR Media

1421 Research Park Drive • Lawrence, KS 66049-3859 • 800-
472-7878 • www.gcsaa.org
GCSAA Tournament Fact Sheet
PGA Tour
The Honda Classic
February 25 - March 3, 2013
PGA National Resort & Spa
(Champion Course)
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
GCSAA Golf Course Management
Information
GCSAA Class A Director of Agronomy:
Lukus R. Harvey
Availability to media:
Contact Lukus Harvey by phone 561-
627-0020; cell 561-248-0895; email
lukus.harvey@pgaresort.com
Education:
Turfgrass Management, The Ohio State
University
Years as a GCSAA member: 12
GCSAA affiliated chapter:
Palm Beach Golf Course
Superintendents Association
Years at this course: 1.5
Previous positions:
2005-2010, Golf & Grounds
Superintendent, The Ritz Carlton Golf
Club, Jupiter, Fla.; 2003-2005, Golf
Course Superintendent, Doral Resort &
Spa (Blue Course), Miami, Fla.; 2002-
2003, Assistant Superintendent, John's
Island Club (West Course), Vero Beach,
Fla.; 2001-2002, Assistant
Superintendent, Calusa Pines Golf Club,
Naples, Fla.; 2000, Intern, Augusta
National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga.; 1004-
1999, Intern/Crew, Walden Golf &
Tennis Club, Aurora, Ohio
Previous tournament preparation:
2011-2012 The Honda Classic, PGA
National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach
Gardens, Fla.; 2011 GCSAA National
Championship & Golf Classic, PGA
National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach
Gardens, Fla.; 2004-2005 Ford
Championship, Doral Resort & Spa,
Miami, Fla.
Previous events hosted by facility:
2006-2012 The Honda Classic; 2011
GCSAA National Championship & Golf
Classic; 1982-2000 PGA Seniors
Championships; 1987 PGA
Championship; 1983 Ryder Cup
Matches
Course statistics
Average tee size: 1,400 sq. ft.
Tournament Stimpmeter: 11-11.5 ft.
Average green size: 6,400 sq. ft.
Rounds per year: 26,000
Green construction soil mix:
USGA (90% sand; 10% peat)
Acres of fairway: 27
Source of water: Lake
Acres of rough: 65
Drainage conditions: Fair
Sand bunkers: 78
Water hazards: 26
Course ratings
Yardage Par Rating Slope
Red 5145 72 72.3 136
White 5984 72 69.9 129
Blue 6379 72 71.6 137
Gold 6721 72 73.3 144
Black 7048 72 75.3 147

Course characteristics
Tees
Fairways
Greens
Rough
Primary
Grasses
Bermudagrass;
perennial
ryegrass
Bermudagrass;
perennial
ryegrass
Tifeagle
bermudagrass
Bermudagrass;
perennial
ryegrass
Height of Cut
0.425"
0.500"
0.105"
3"
GolfWeek magazine described The Champion
as "an old Florida classic, core golf experience."
The PGA of America is located on course
property.
PGA National Resort & Spa was the host of the
2011 GCSAA National Championship & Golf
Classic.
Course architect/date:
Tom and George Fazio, 1981
Most recent redesign/renovation:
Jack Nicklaus, 2001
Wildlife on the course
Alligator; Eagle; Fish; Fox; Osprey; Several
different species of birds; Snakes; Squirrel;
Turtle; Whitetail deer; Coyote
Interesting and historical courserelated
facts
One of Florida’s most notable golf challenges is
found on the legendary Champion course.
Originally designed by George and Tom Fazio,
Jack Nicklaus redesigned the Champion in
1990, adding the feared “Bear Trap” grouping of
holes 15, 16 and 17.
The Champion is currently the home of the
PGA Tour’s Honda Classic, benefiting the
Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation (and
an integral part of the FedEx Cup) and has
been the site of the 1982 PGA Grand Slam of
Golf, the1983 Ryder Cup, the 1987 PGA
Championship and the PGA Seniors’
Championships from 1982 to 2000. It has also
been the site of the PGA Junior Championships
from 1980-1987, 1989-1992, and 1994-2000,
the PGA Club Professional Championships in
1980, 1982, 1983 and 1993, and the 2011
GCSAA National Championship & Golf Classic.
The Champion is a “must play” stop on any avid
golfer’s list and is included in the “Top 100”
resort course rankings of several golf
publications. In 2006, writer Brad Klein of
Other key course personnel
Andrew Fike, GCSAA SM Member Golf Course
Superintendent
Jeff Vissen, Assistant Superintendent
John Patterson, Equipment Manager
Jane Broderick, Director of Golf
Joel Paige, Managing Director
Golf course management facts
For additional information please visit the
GCSAA association news section or contact the
Communications Department at 800-472-7878.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has
as its focus golf course management. Since
1926, GCSAA has been the top professional
association for the men and women who
manage golf courses in the United States and
worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence,
Kan., the association provides education,
information and representation to nearly 18,000
members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's
mission is to serve its members, advance their
profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth
and vitality of the game of golf. Find GCSAA on
Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit
GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org. The Environmental
Institute for Golf is the philanthropic
organization of the GCSAA, and has as its
mission to foster sustainability through
research, awareness, education, programs and
scholarships for the benefit of golf course
management professionals, golf facilities and
the game. Visit www.eifg.org.